Our Current Medical System in the US

Dr. Glidden explains why the medical care system is like a pizza and that medical doctors are only taught one slice of it - drugs and surgery.

A Holistic Look at Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Many people who suffer from anxiety or panic attacks have a genetic predisposition that affects them more easily than others. The response from most primary care physicians is to prescribe them with anti anxiety medications that only mask the symptoms. Although the medication can help calm the individual down, unless the cause of the anxiety is actually addressed, the anxiety or panic attack may worsen even while taking medication. Therefore, it is important to take a closer look at our life circumstances or our mental habits to determine what's actually causing the anxiety. Once we have determined the cause, we can then work on undoing or tending to the anxiety through many different methods. Anxiety and panic attacks are not a life sentence. You can free yourself from it today!

Moving Cupping Therapy

Moving Cupping is very similar to Fire Cupping except that oil is applied to the body and only one or two cups are used. Heat is added to the cup in the same manner and the cup is used to glide over the body. With moving cupping, the cup is constantly moved around which can be deeply soothing and relaxing. Because the cups are not stationary, there are no round, "pepperoni" marks produced. Moving cupping is great for stress and anxiety, pain relief, and to increase circulation. For chronic pain, detoxing, or boosting immune system, fire cupping therapy is recommended over moving cupping.

Fire Cupping Therapy

There are a few different ways of doing cupping therapy. Although they achieve nearly the same results, these hand crafted ceramic cups are unique in that they contain Germanium which creates far infrared heat. This allows for greater reduction in inflammation, pain relief, and deeper penetration of the heat.

Cupping therapy helps restore circulation and detoxes the body. The heat placed inside the cups, suctions the body which opens up the pores, and forces stagnant blood to rise to the surface. This is what causes the bruising; and the darker spots usually indicates an area of more stagnation. By sucking the stagnant blood to the surface, it allows new blood to circulate underneath the area. The bruising often goes away within a few days. Cupping therapy is not painful at all lasting about 5 minutes, and most people report feeling deeply relaxed and refreshed.

Our Body is a Vehicle. How Well Do You Drive it?

How much are you willing to invest in your body and self? We spend so much time and money in material goods but we often times overlook our self care. It is no wonder we are in dis-ease and out of alignment. Without our health, we are unable to enjoy the hard earned money, or the loving relationships that we hold dearly. But when we start taking care of our bodies, the same way we take care of the things that are important in our lives, life becomes more balanced and our mind and body begin to work together. When this happens, we can create anything we want in life. This is the kind of life we were meant to lead.

Using a Body Pillow for Side Sleepers

When it comes to sleeping, lying on your back is the best way to fall asleep. However, the majority of people seemed to have grown up sleeping on their side or even on their stomachs. Sleeping on your stomach is the worst position to sleep in as the strain and pressure it puts on your neck and spine can be extremely taxing on the body. So in between the best and the worst lies the side sleeping position. (pun intended)

Most people sleep on their side with their arm elevated or their knees bunched together. This position can also be extremely taxing on your neck, shoulders, and hips. I recommend hugging a pillow and also having another pillow between your legs. Better yet, use a body pillow. Using a body pillow adds cushion and prevents the added pressure on your shoulder and hip joints.

If you do not like using a body pillow, I recommend using a regular pillow but one that is a bit fluffier and thicker so that it fills the space in your arms and knees. As for body pillows, I am not a big fan of the L shaped or 8 shaped or any other shape besides a normal vertical shaped pillow. This is because the angle of the pillows will not be the right fit for everyone.

Here are 2 basic body pillows you can use:

1. http://amzn.to/2obfW64

2. If you are not a fan of memory foam and want something more natural. This one is an organic latex version:
http://amzn.to/2oNC7jS

Vitamin D Deficiency

According to some research, up to 75% of the population is deficient in Vitamin D. Common symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency are: low energy, brain fog, difficulty sleeping, mood swings, and weak immune system.
The reason why so many people are deficient is because there are only 2 ways to get Vitamin D in the body: 
1. Direct sun exposure
2. Vitamin D Supplementation

On a daily basis, most people stay indoors or wear sunblock when outdoors, to avoid skin cancer or wrinkling of the skin. However, this may be leading to major cases of Vitamin D deficiency. I myself, have recently found out I am deficient in Vitamin D. The best way to test for deficiency is by doing a 25-hydroxy vitamin D test. You can ask your chiropractor if they have a kit or ask your physician if they test for vitamin d in their blood panel tests. 

If you already know you are deficient in Vitamin D, finding the correct supplement is very important. The natural D3 form, also known as cholecalciferol, has been shown in research to consistently raise blood levels more effectively than the synthetic D2 form (ergocalciferol). D2 is also less expensive than D3, which is why most Vitamin D sold in the marketplace is the synthetic D2 kind. 

Also, another reason why many people take way too little Vitamin D per day is because the current Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) is set at only 600 IU. Most Multi Vitamins that contain Vitamin D usually only contain 600 or fewer IU. According to the Vitamin D Council, healthy adults should supplement with 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily to avoid deficiency and maintain superior health — more than 8 times what the FDA recommends.

The brand I recommend for Vitamin D is:
http://amzn.to/2nOE6UL

I like this brand because this was the only company that uses the healthiest and cleanest ingredients in their soft caps that I could find.

Probiotics

I am a huge fan of probiotics. I take them reguarly myself.
Since I have been taking probiotics, I have noticed a few changes in myself. I apologize for the graphic detail:

1. Smoother, well-formed bowel movements
2. Less bloating in stomach after eating
3. Flatter stomach
4. Less bloating and gas
5. Improved mood and energy
6. Increased absorption of nutrition

Living a healthy lifestyle, drinking Kangen water, and proper supplementation all contribute to the above factors; but I have noticed a significant difference since taking probiotics.

The type of brand you use is very important as not all probiotics are quality. I specifically recommend brands that require to keep the probiotics refrigerated. I personally like Garden of Life brand. They have now produced probiotics that do not require refrigeration! I have attached links to both refrigeration and non-refrigeration.

Non-Refrigeration for Women:
http://amzn.to/2nlxAEa

Non-Refrigeration for Men:
http://amzn.to/2mOq8gH


Refrigeration for Women
(NOTE: I prefer using iHerb over Amazon because iHerb ships these in a refrigerated box)
https://www.iherb.com/pr/Garden-of-Life-Dr-Formulated-Probiotics-Once-Daily-Women-s-30-Veggie-Caps/64442

Refrigeration for Men:
(NOTE: I prefer using iHerb over Amazon because iHerb ships these in a refrigerated box)
https://www.iherb.com/pr/Garden-of-Life-Dr-Formulated-Probiotics-Once-Daily-s-Men-s-30-Veggie-Caps/64437

The Perfect Cushion for Low Back and Hip Pain

If you drive a lot or sit at a desk for a prolonged period of time on a daily basis, you have probably suffered from low back pain, hip pain, or even tailbone pain. Lot of the times, this is due to the way the seat you are sitting on is constructed. Even if you are sitting upright and with good posture, if the angle of the car or desk seat is at an off angle, you will eventually have pain.

Here is a cushion I have recommended to many patients and the they all seem to have greatly benefited from this:
http://amzn.to/2mAETVa

Liposomal Vitamin C and Mega Dosing

Most Vitamin C gets broken down in our stomach and digested before it can even reach our blood stream. Therefore, most vitamin c pills we ingest are broken down in the stomach before our body can even utilize it. Most orange juice sold at the market is filled with sugar and actually contain very little amounts of vitamin c. Even if you hand squeezed oranges, most of the vitamin c you extracted would be digested in the stomach before reaching your bloodstream.

Liposomal vitamin c on the other hand, is enshrouded in liposomes (fat cells) that easily slip past the stomach to avoid being broken down. They are absorbed much more readily, some studies saying up to 80% better than standard pill form of vitamin c. Since I have started taking this, I have never been sick longer than 2 days!! I used to be out for a week at a time and hated getting sick. Not no more!

Liposomal Vitamin C: 

http://amzn.to/2mWsJtl

Take 2g-4g every 2-4hours until symptoms improve when having symptoms of cold. 

Following the dosage is important (18g max per day)

Mega dosing of Vitamin C (Taking high amounts) is somewhat controversial in the medical community. Some physicians are for it, while others warn against it. My opinion on mega dosing is based on the Nobel Peace Prize winner Linus Pauling's research. According to Pauling, animals synthesize about 18g of vitamin c naturally on a daily basis. Pauling believed that by supplementing our body with up to the same amount, our body could fully utilize the vitamin c to boost the immune system. Another point to note is that Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin, meaning it is easily absorbed and easily excreted. As long as you do not exceed 18g, you cannot really harm the body. 

In my experience, I have never needed to take 18g to feel a difference. I have felt a difference taking 2-3g within minutes of taking liposomal vitamin c. I usually take about 6-8g when having cold sypmtoms and have found that range to be very effective. However, the proper dosing will vary from person to person and depending on the severity of your sympotoms.

Liposomal vitamin c is not only great for colds. It is also excellent for fighting off infections, fatigue, and even pain. Since taking liposomal vitamin c daily can become costly. I suggest taking vitamin c crystals as a daily supplement (1000mg) and saving the liposomal vitamin c when experiencing cold symptoms or infection.

Vitamin C Crystals:

http://amzn.to/2lWyN0c

As always, please consult with your physician or chiropractor/naturopath first before making any medical decisions you are unsure of.

Knee Sleeve

When it comes to knee pain due to overuse, hyperactivity, or arthritis I recommend wearing a knee compression sleeve. There is a big difference between a knee brace and a knee compression sleeve.

Braces are designed to immobilize a knee and are usually bulky with velcro staps. They are needed for severe acute injuries such as sprains, tears, or fractures.

You do not need to wear a brace for any other type of knee pain, including previous injury. Instead, I recommend wearing a compression sleeve, which helps support and compress the knee. Avoid wearing the sleeve all day long and while sleeping. The sleeve should only be worn during physical activity.

As always, please make sure to consult your chiropractor or physician if you are unsure or have further questions.

I use this particular knee sleeve myself. I find it has more support than the thin sleeves advertised on TV. It has a bit more thickness and cushion.
http://amzn.to/2lCaYv9

Supplements for Joint Pain

Here are 2 supplements I recommend taking for joint pain.

Glucosamine is excellent for joint pain as it helps to lubricate the joints naturally. 

Turmeric has many healing properties including decreasing inflammation and reducing joint pain.

When it comes to supplement brands, it is important to use a company that uses high quality ingredients. Here are a few companies I've had a lot of success with. 

Please keep in mind that it may take up to 2 weeks for the body to start noticing a difference upon taking these supplements. However, I have also seen immediate results occur:

Glucosamine - 3 caps per day: 

http://amzn.to/2mCJaIe

Turmeric: 3 pills twice a day for first 2 weeks then decrease down to 1-2 twice per day

http://amzn.to/2mqSIsD

A cheaper alternative to turmeric that may not be as effective as the above:

http://amzn.to/2l9OPIz

"Your body language shapes who you are"

I stress the importance of posture all the time. One of the reasons is obviously to prevent compromising the curvature of our spine. This can lead to all sorts of health problems including increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, our posture and body language also affects the way we are perceived by others - but more importantly - Ourselves. The way we carry our body can actually affect our bodies physiologically, which in turn will affect the outcome of our social interactions. Imagine if changing our posture could help us reach our goals faster, heal quicker, or even meet that special someone, would you be interested?